Broken screw in Steinway hammer rail

[Paul]

Lorelle
I've seen this technique done in a machine shop: acquire left handed drill
bits. Yes, they are fluted and ground to be run counterclockwise-left
handed. Drill the smallest hole you can into the broken screw, usually
1/16". Then take a larger bit that would drill out the screw without cutting
into the wood. The larger bit will usually try to thread itself into the
smaller hole. This "snagging" action will back the broken screw out.
Practice this technique by driving a few screws into a piece of scrap maple
and cut the heads off. You'll come up with a working combination of bits.
The left handed bits can usually be found at auto parts stores like NAPA.
Also, you might try heating the broken screw by inserting a rod into it and
heating the rod. Then start your second drill bit. I've used the heating
method many times, in fact I have a soldering iron with a variety of round
tips that I place on the end of broken or frozen screws in wood to loosen
them for extraction. It does take a little practice, but you can remove
tightly bound/ broken screws this way without damaging the wood.

Paul Chick
----- Original Message -----
From: Lorelle Nelson <lorelle.rpt@worldnet.att.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2000 11:48 PM
Subject: Broken screw in Steinway hammer rail


> I'm doing some work on a  1921 Steinway O, and am faced with a broken
screw
> imbedded in the hammer rail.  It is too small for my #1 screw extractor.
> How can I get it out?  Lorelle Nelson
> --->
>